Umm Ali – How to make this delicious dessert
What is Umm Ali?
The name “umm Ali” (or om Ali, omali) means “Ali’s mother” and the roots of this dish can be traced back to around the 12th century in Egypt. Just like the dish itself, there are a few variations on whom the dishes name refers to.
Some say it was the wife of one of the Egyptian rulers, others say it was a woman in a town where the ruler was passing through who made it for the visiting dignitary.
Many stories involve a sultan’s wife or other people being killed along the way and this dish somehow saving the day. Given it’s such an ancient dish, it’s not surprising the legends around it are pretty creative. But the main thing you need to know is the fuss is worth it as it’s a really tasty dish.
Umm Ali might be relatively unknown elsewhere, but it’s one of Egypt’s favorite desserts. It’s easy to make and is very much like a bread pudding with nuts. So here is the recipe of this delicious dessert almost anyone can make it at home.
Ingredients :
- Milk 2 cups
- Puff Pastry readymade 250 grams
- Condensed milk 1 cup
- Fresh cream ½ cup
- Cinnamon 2 inches
- Pistachios chopped 2 tablespoons
- Walnuts chopped 2 tablespoons
- Cashewnuts chopped 2 tablespoons
Method:
Preheat oven to 180°C.
- Pour milk, condensed milk, cream and cinnamon in a non-stick pan. Mix well and heat the mixture thoroughly.
- Break puff pastry into small pieces and put into a bowl. Add half the chopped nuts.
- Spread the puff pastry-nuts mixture in a glass baking dish. Pour the milk mixture on top.
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for twenty to twenty-five minutes.
- Bring the dish out of the oven, add the remaining chopped nuts.
- Place the dish back in the oven and bake for three to four minutes more.
- Remove from oven and cool.
- Serve.
